M. Wang

Happy to see tsukemen is getting popular in the Bay Area. I ordered the signature dipping noodle, overall it tastes good and I can give it 5 star. However, I would still recommend the store to reduce the Yuzu flavor in the dipping soup. It adds some refreshing flavor for sure, but I think tsukemen is supposed to be bold, so just keeping the original salty & meaty broth will make the flavor more authentic. Worth trying!

+1

Tasty tsukemen with fresh noodles and tender protein, tanginess and flavourful soup. However Saturday evening would potentially lineup for an hour. Be aware of this.

Taishoken Ramen – San Mateo We decided to try Taishoken Ramen after seeing a great review on a TV show, and our curiosity definitely paid off. The restaurant is clean and welcoming, with plenty of customers dining in when we arrived. We were seated immediately, and our server was friendly and helpful, recommending their best sellers. Here’s what we ordered: Tuna Tartare – Made with tuna, avocado, pickled red cabbage, fried onions, and seaweed crackers. The presentation was beautiful. The tuna was fresh (no fishy smell at all), and all the ingredients complemented each other perfectly. The sauce added a nice touch of saltiness that brought everything together. Chicken Karaage – Crispy and flavorful. I could taste the soy-based marinade, though the ginger flavor was subtle. Still, it was very tasty and well-cooked. Tokusei Tsukemen – A unique experience! The cold noodles are dipped into a rich, savory sauce. If you’ve never tried dipping ramen before, this is a must-try. It’s definitely one of their standout dishes. Tokusei Ramen – According to my partner, it was good but nothing particularly extraordinary compared to other ramen we’ve tried. Overall, we had a great experience and will

Trang Ouk

Mid-size restaurant with efficient service and good Japanese tsukemen. The food comes very quickly once your order is in. The Gyozas are very good, both in fried and steamed versions. There seems to always be a line of customers waiting, even in the middle of the day, so it's not a place you go to linger and chit chat once the meal is over (the waiter brings your bill whether you've asked for it or not!). There is a limited Happy Hour menu on Fridays and weekends, and paid street parking except on Sundays.

E Xie

Really nice and beautiful ramen shop with signature tsukemen. Actually, it's probably the most known tsukemen chain in Japan. As for me, I was first in line in a weekday. Broth is delicious and ramen is bouncy. Lime gives such good ehancement. However, the ham I had was ice cold. Is that normal? I already know about tsukemen and dipping noodles and meat in the warm broth, but I found that strange. Maybe it was because I came at opening time so I'll try again another day.

Tyrone C

Make sure to add yourself to the waitlist on Yelp before arriving. May save you 10-20 min. Once inside, dining is nice but a little crowded and noisy. Not terrible. Service was okay. Nothing special. Nothing bad. Quick though, which was nice to see. I had the Tokusei Ramen and really enjoyed that for $20. Nice garlicky broth and other flavors with thinner noodles. My friends all ordered the Tsukemen. Most enjoyed it, although one criticized the noodle texture as well as the lack of smokiness to the soup. He said he preferred the now closed Shugetsu much more for this style. We also enjoyed the popcorn chicken appetizer for $12. Happy hour is from 3-6pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for discounts on drinks and apps.

jkaw

The legendary creator of tsukemen has licensed its name to a branch of Bay Area-ramen shops. Supposedly they are run by descendents of the original shop, though I am fairly positive those individuals are not in the store day to day. Maybe expected for American diners, the menu includes many wide ranging ramen styles and unusual ramen shop appetizers like takoyaki. Taishoken is most famous for tsukemen. I was a bit disappointed that the noodles, toppings, and soup broth was closer to the heavier gyokai-tonkotsu style of shops like Ganja/Rokurinsha and not what I'd consider classic Taishoken flavor. Google 大勝軒つけ麺 for some pictures of what the Japan-based Taishoken branches serve and the difference will be obvious. I will say that both types of chashu toppings were excellent. To be honest, there are better ramen shops in the Bay Area and even now-closed Iza did a better version of this style. But by American standards, the ramen is still probably four stars.

Sohrob H

🍜 The Ramen: I found the ramen at Taishoken to be quite good. The broth was flavorful, the noodles had a nice chew, and the toppings were fresh. It was a well-executed bowl that certainly satisfied my ramen craving. 🛎️ Service: The service was efficient and relatively quick. Orders were taken promptly, and the food came out in a timely manner, which is always appreciated, especially at a busy ramen spot. Ambiente: The atmosphere inside Taishoken Ramen is casual and functional. It's designed for enjoying a good bowl of ramen, with comfortable seating and a generally clean environment. It has the typical, straightforward vibe of a solid ramen establishment. 💰 Value: The pricing felt fair for the quality and portion size of the ramen. It offers good value for a satisfying meal. 👍 Overall Impression: Taishoken Ramen is a solid choice for a good bowl of ramen. The food is tasty, the service is efficient, and it provides a reliable dining experience. I would recommend it if you're in the mood for quality ramen.

+2

Wee Khim Lee

Revisited this ramen after a few years and find that it’s still top quality. Simple menu with a choice of dipping, dry and traditional ramen. I decided to go with the traditional. Rating based on my BENMS system - Broth (4) blend of pork and chicken it’s flavorful without being too heavy. Egg (5) well cooked and firm on outside soft on the inside. Noodles (5) my favorite type of noodles - pale and straight slightly chewy. Meat (3) 2 different cuts of pork they’re not bad but not outstanding. Not super flavorful which is what I’d like expect. Seaweed (4) nice and flavorful. Overall 4.

CH

This Japanese ramen spot specializes in tsukemen (dipping ramen) but also serves traditional ramen and mazedon. The flavor is bold and indulgent—rich with fat and sodium—authentic and satisfying. The simple traditional Japanese interior suits a casual meal, with fast, efficient service and plenty of space. It can get busy, so reservations on Yelp are recommended. Expect to spend around $40 per person; it’s a solid A-tier experience worth trying.

G T

Nice staff, slippery bathrooms, neat space, VERY salty soups, decent noodles but won’t be back. A lot of better options elsewhere. Then a patron next to me was exclaiming how salty their food was too. Hello chef.

Michael Han

Food was decent, nothing really blew my mind. Although I expect a thick broth for the tsukemen, the ramen broth was much thicker than I expected or have had in a ramen before. The karaage, calamari, and takoyaki was crispy and hot and paired well with the crisp and light Sapporo($3 during HH). Next time I go back, I'll pbb stick to appetizers and a beer, maybe try some of their cold sakes.

+4

Rachel S.

Parking is limited in front of the restaurant. I waited on Yelp for about 20–30 minutes. The service was decent. I wanted to try the signature ramen, but it turned out to be just okay. Maybe ramen just isn’t my thing—I tried many different kinds when I visited Japan last year. Personally, I don’t think it was worth the wait, but if you enjoy trying new things, it might be worth a shot!